Holmes Accuses Republicans Of 'Pay For Play'
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes is accusing State House Republicans of "pay for play."
The accusation came in a news release from Holmes that centered on news reports detailing that House Speaker Lance Cargill and several other Republican House members attended a fundraiser at the Dallas home of Gene Phillips, controversial businessman who is linked to the scandal that resulted in the impeachment of former Insurance Commissioner Carrol Fisher and his resignation from office.
"According to reports from the Tulsa World, Phillip's son attempted to change a law (in 2007) that would have favored his insurance company. The amendment was carried by Republican Majority Floor Leader Greg Piatt, R- Ardmore. Piatt received a $5,000 contribution from Phillip's son in exchange for him carrying the bill," Homes said.
"Three Republican lawmakers have confirmed that they will be returning contributions from Phillips. The three Republicans are members of a House Committee that approved legislation favorable to the Phillips family last spring. Why haven't all Republican House members returned contributions they received from Phillips?" Holmes asked.
Republican representatives who attended the Dallas fundraiser besides Cargill, Holmes said, were Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Tulsa; Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell; Mike Jackson, R-Enid; Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher; Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon; and T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton.
"Not only did these Republicans attend a fundraiser at the home of a person who is in the business of bribing elected officials but they carried his dirty water in the Legislature," said Holmes. (Editor's Note: Gene Phillips has not been convicted of bribery; he once faced a federal bribery indictment and was acquited.)
"An investigation into these activities needs to be conducted immediately. I fear that the same people that bribed the convicted former Insurance Commissioner are now contributing to House Republicans.
"Republicans in the House of Representatives need to clean up their own House" said Holmes. "Since Republicans have gained Republican control, they have managed to come under investigation by the Ethics Commission and taken numerous contributions from businessmen and lobbyists.
"This pay for play attitude needs to stop. Oklahomans will see through their unethical behavior and tactics and elect a Democratic Majority in 2008 that truly cares about the needs of working Oklahomans," Holmes said.
The accusation came in a news release from Holmes that centered on news reports detailing that House Speaker Lance Cargill and several other Republican House members attended a fundraiser at the Dallas home of Gene Phillips, controversial businessman who is linked to the scandal that resulted in the impeachment of former Insurance Commissioner Carrol Fisher and his resignation from office.
"According to reports from the Tulsa World, Phillip's son attempted to change a law (in 2007) that would have favored his insurance company. The amendment was carried by Republican Majority Floor Leader Greg Piatt, R- Ardmore. Piatt received a $5,000 contribution from Phillip's son in exchange for him carrying the bill," Homes said.
"Three Republican lawmakers have confirmed that they will be returning contributions from Phillips. The three Republicans are members of a House Committee that approved legislation favorable to the Phillips family last spring. Why haven't all Republican House members returned contributions they received from Phillips?" Holmes asked.
Republican representatives who attended the Dallas fundraiser besides Cargill, Holmes said, were Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Tulsa; Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell; Mike Jackson, R-Enid; Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher; Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon; and T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton.
"Not only did these Republicans attend a fundraiser at the home of a person who is in the business of bribing elected officials but they carried his dirty water in the Legislature," said Holmes. (Editor's Note: Gene Phillips has not been convicted of bribery; he once faced a federal bribery indictment and was acquited.)
"An investigation into these activities needs to be conducted immediately. I fear that the same people that bribed the convicted former Insurance Commissioner are now contributing to House Republicans.
"Republicans in the House of Representatives need to clean up their own House" said Holmes. "Since Republicans have gained Republican control, they have managed to come under investigation by the Ethics Commission and taken numerous contributions from businessmen and lobbyists.
"This pay for play attitude needs to stop. Oklahomans will see through their unethical behavior and tactics and elect a Democratic Majority in 2008 that truly cares about the needs of working Oklahomans," Holmes said.
Labels: Gene Phillips, Ivan Holmes
posted by Mike McCarville @ 8:17 AM
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